B.C. Wildfires 2021

B.C. ranks drought levels from 0 to 5. Drought Level 5 is rated as the most severe, with adverse impacts to socioeconomic or ecosystem values being almost certain. (Black Press Media file photo)

Officials urge British Columbians to conserve water as regions face extreme drought

Streams and fish seeing biggest impact of drought, as wildfires burn

B.C. ranks drought levels from 0 to 5. Drought Level 5 is rated as the most severe, with adverse impacts to socioeconomic or ecosystem values being almost certain. (Black Press Media file photo)
Firefighters ignite back-burn on the Deka Lake wildfire near 100 Mile House, July 5, 2021. (B.C. Wildfire Service)

RCMP add officers to help with B.C. Interior wildfire evacuations

North receives rain, no relief in sight for southern areas

Firefighters ignite back-burn on the Deka Lake wildfire near 100 Mile House, July 5, 2021. (B.C. Wildfire Service)
B.C. Premier John Horgan, right, walks with Hardy Wentzel, CEO of Structurlam in Okanagan Falls, March 2019. Horgan’s NDP government has emphasized value added production and redistribution of Crown timber licences. (Penticton Western News)

Record B.C. lumber profits should go to wildfire fight, Horgan says

Prices have plummeted from May peak, supply tightening

B.C. Premier John Horgan, right, walks with Hardy Wentzel, CEO of Structurlam in Okanagan Falls, March 2019. Horgan’s NDP government has emphasized value added production and redistribution of Crown timber licences. (Penticton Western News)
The Michaud Creek fire on July 17. Photo: BC Wildfire Service

UPDATE: Edgewood evacuated due to growing Michaud Creek wildfire

Michaud Creek fire has now reached 4,600 hectares in size

The Michaud Creek fire on July 17. Photo: BC Wildfire Service
The Trozzo Creek fire, July 21. Photo: BC Wildfire Service

Trozzo Creek Fire: residents of 86 Slocan Valley properties ordered to leave

Evacuation addresses are in the Lemon Creek area

The Trozzo Creek fire, July 21. Photo: BC Wildfire Service
An evacuation alert for Renata was issued July 21, 2021. (BC Wildfire Services - Twitter)

UPDATE: Renata on evac alert after area wildfires merge by Lower Arrow Lake

Residents on order to leave immediately July 21

An evacuation alert for Renata was issued July 21, 2021. (BC Wildfire Services - Twitter)
The skies above Osoyoos are thick with smoke from the nearby Nk'Mip Creek wildfire. (Twila Amato - Black Press)

Nk’Mip fire in Osoyoos top priority for BC Wildfire

Over 370 properties on evacuation order but some refusing to leave

The skies above Osoyoos are thick with smoke from the nearby Nk'Mip Creek wildfire. (Twila Amato - Black Press)
Premier John Horgan looks on during a press conference at Legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Monday, February 23, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

B.C. wildfires ‘graphic’ evidence of climate change, premier says

‘Climate change is with us, not just intermittently, but all the time’

Premier John Horgan looks on during a press conference at Legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Monday, February 23, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
The Kanaka Bar Indian Band has a bold plan to assist those displaced by the fire in Lytton on June 30. (Photo credit: Kanaka Bar Band)

Bold plan to house Lytton wildfire evacuees proposed by Kanaka Bar band

Proposal includes multipurpose buildings and housing units at Kanaka Bar, 15km from Lytton

The Kanaka Bar Indian Band has a bold plan to assist those displaced by the fire in Lytton on June 30. (Photo credit: Kanaka Bar Band)
Trozzo Creek fire 7.5 km northeast of Winlaw in the B.C. Kootenay region, July 17, 2021. As of July 21 the fire is estimated at 1,100 hectares, out of control but not threatening structures. (B.C. Wildfire Service)

Stay out of B.C. back country while fire risk high, Horgan urges during stop in Castlegar

State of emergency is to help move people out of danger

Trozzo Creek fire 7.5 km northeast of Winlaw in the B.C. Kootenay region, July 17, 2021. As of July 21 the fire is estimated at 1,100 hectares, out of control but not threatening structures. (B.C. Wildfire Service)
A smoky view of Swiss Peak summit. (Parks Canada photo)

Revelstoke Search and Rescue asks people to stay out of the backcountry

Parks Canada is also urging caution

A smoky view of Swiss Peak summit. (Parks Canada photo)
The Needles Ferry and Highway 6 are closed to the public in order to keep evacuation routes open for those who are being ordered to leave due to wildfires. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

Needles Ferry and Highway 6 closed due to wildfire

Public not permitted in order to keep routes clear for wildfire evacuees

The Needles Ferry and Highway 6 are closed to the public in order to keep evacuation routes open for those who are being ordered to leave due to wildfires. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
Anarchist Mountain fire department worked on the Nk'Mip fire Tuesday night and also assisted with evacuations in the area. (Facebook)

Don’t drive around neighbourhoods being evacuated, urges fire chief in Nk’Mip fire

Anarchist Mountain fire department were hampered by traffic during evacuations

Anarchist Mountain fire department worked on the Nk'Mip fire Tuesday night and also assisted with evacuations in the area. (Facebook)
Nk’Mip Creek wildfire pictured from Osoyoos on July 20. (Brenda Lee photo)

Incoming winds expected to increase wildfire activity in the B.C. Interior

The BC Wildfire Service has issued a wind advisory for Interior, southeastern B.C.

Nk’Mip Creek wildfire pictured from Osoyoos on July 20. (Brenda Lee photo)
Adega’s winery on 45th in Osoyoos has closed until further notice due to the fast moving Inkaneep Creek wildfire. (Adega’s Facebook)

Hundreds of campers and Spirit Ridge Resort evacuated due to Nk’Mip wildfire

Osoyoos asking for more resources as Inkaneep fire jumps to 1,100 ha

Adega’s winery on 45th in Osoyoos has closed until further notice due to the fast moving Inkaneep Creek wildfire. (Adega’s Facebook)
A fallen camp stove was to blame for a small fire that ignited near Kamloops. RCMP said a man was arrested and charged under the Wildfire Act. (FreePhotos/Pixabay)

B.C. man charged after camp stove causes fire near Kamloops

Investigators found camp stove had fallen from a post onto grass

  • Jul 20, 2021
A fallen camp stove was to blame for a small fire that ignited near Kamloops. RCMP said a man was arrested and charged under the Wildfire Act. (FreePhotos/Pixabay)
A plume of smoke rise from a forest fire burning northeast of the city in Prince Albert, Sask., Monday, May 17, 2021. (The Canadian Press/Kayle Neis)

Western Canada desperately needs rain but it’s not in the forecast: climatologist

300 wildfires were burning across British Columbia Monday, evacuation orders were issued for several regions

A plume of smoke rise from a forest fire burning northeast of the city in Prince Albert, Sask., Monday, May 17, 2021. (The Canadian Press/Kayle Neis)
A helicopter flies past the Tremont Creek wildfire burning on the mountains above Ashcroft, B.C., on Friday, July 16, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

‘It’s a nightmare’: 300 wildfires blaze, another evacuation order issued in B.C.

Emergency Management B.C. said in a statement the RCMP are working with the regional district on the request

A helicopter flies past the Tremont Creek wildfire burning on the mountains above Ashcroft, B.C., on Friday, July 16, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
(Phil McLachlan/Black Press Media file)

Credit union donates $50K to support B.C. wildfire victims

First West is also encouraging its members to donate to the cause

(Phil McLachlan/Black Press Media file)
The East Toe is a outcropping of rock in the Fraser River at the Big Bar Landslide site, northwest of Kamloops that has to be removed to restore fish passage. (Fisheries and Oceans Canada)

Salmon and other sea life affected by recent heat waves, experts say

Surface waters are warmer than they have been historically

The East Toe is a outcropping of rock in the Fraser River at the Big Bar Landslide site, northwest of Kamloops that has to be removed to restore fish passage. (Fisheries and Oceans Canada)